Emerging Leaders Forum | CIO Summit New Zealand

NZ CIO Summit - Emerging Leaders' Forum
Free exclusive event - 20 August 2025, Viaduct Events Centre

Connect, network, and grow your skills at New Zealand’s leading conference for senior ICT leaders. With a focus on connection and inspiration, this forum will examine how to become a CIO in today’s tech environment – the skills, the attributes and the attitudes required to lead teams, projects, and departments.

Limited to 50 participants, this exclusive forum, supported by DeployPartners, will be facilitated by David Kennedy, who previously held the roles of COO at Cin7 and CIO at Transaction Services Ltd, now actively coaches unicorns, guides organisations, and mentors individuals for sustainable growth and innovation.

Supported by:

Who should register

Inspiration | Progression | Development

This forum has been crafted specifically for those who are not at the senior levels of ICT Leadership. Ideally you will have a few years' experience in a relevant technology role and have aspirations to become a CIO, CTO, CDO or other senior technology leader. We welcome all attendees who are looking for that next step and want to learn about the skills, attributes and attitudes required.

Fast-track your development: Gain insights and practical skills directly from established CIOs.
Become an industry leader: Immerse yourself in a stimulating environment designed to foster the next generation of tech visionaries.
Network with the elite: Build connections with industry leaders and peers, propelling your career forward.

Check out the agenda below.

Fuel the Future of Tech Leadership

Are you an aspiring tech leader hungry to take the next step in your career? We encourage you to register your interest for the Emerging Leaders' Forum!

Or, do you know a bright mind with the potential to shape the future of tech leadership in New Zealand? We invite you to nominate an inspiring emerging leader from your team for this exclusive event.

Meet the mentors

Agenda

10:20	Registration Opens and Refreshments
11:00	Opening from the MC David Kennedy, River Guide for Boards & Executive Teams
11:20	Opening sessions - Hear from leading CIOs and former CIOs about their career pathways David Kennedy, River Guide for Boards & Executive Teams River Guide for scaling companies - I have been fortunate enough to learn how to scale international tech companies collaborating with incredible talent. Now it's time to pass on my experience.
11:30	Neville Richardson, Chief Information Officer, Gallagher Neville builds diverse, high performing teams, by building psychologically safe environments where people can grow, with a focus on the people and structure side of IS as much as technology. Prior to taking the role at Gallagher, Neville had been CIO in another of New Zealand’s Iconic brands, and previous to that held senior IS and procurement roles at a leading premium automotive manufacturer, working in UK, Germany, South Africa and China. And to prove it takes all sorts, Neville originally trained as an archaeologist, although is committed not to become an old relic as his career progresses.
11:40	Alex Smart, Chief Technology Officer, Southern Cross Travel Insurance Alex Smart joined Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) in 2022. With more than 20 years’ experience working in senior technology roles, Alex has a diverse range of skills including technology strategy and leadership, architecture, design, digital and software development. Since her time at Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Alex has led the transformation to cloud only, the launch of new digital experiences for their customers, and many other initiatives which have required bringing CX into the heart of technology strategy. Alex is part of the New Zealand Tech Women and is passionate about the shape of New Zealand’s future technology workforce.
11:50	Shayne Tong, General Manager - People & Capability, Foodstuffs South Island

12.00	Ask us anything Q&A Session

12:30	Facilitated Roundtables Each of our speakers will facilitate a roundtable to help guide your journey to becoming a CIO! Each table will be refined for who will be joining us and more details will be released closer to the time of the event.
1:15	Networking Lunch